Comper Swift G-ABUS - 1950 Daily Express South Coast Air Race

Read the forum code of contact

Member for

16 years 7 months

Posts: 5,927

Comper Swift G-ABUS was entered for the 1950 Daily Express South Coast Air Race by Mr A.L.Cole of Worthing. I have the entry list but not the results. Thus can some kind person please tell me whether G-ABUS finished the race and, if so, in what position.

With my thanks in anticipation.

AA

Original post

Member for

9 years

Posts: 88

First was Proctor 1 G-AHUZ.

Second was Miles Nighthawk G-AGWT.

Third was Hawk Trainer G-AGLK.

According to Peter Lewis - British Racing and Record-Breaking Aircraft - Putnam 1970.

No information on how G-ABUS did.

Member for

16 years 7 months

Posts: 5,927

Thank you, Aerotony. My recollection is that the full results were published in Flight magazine but, of course, the Flight online archive is no longer accessible as it once was!

Member for

16 years 7 months

Posts: 5,927

Thank you, MM. I do have a supplementary question, which is not answered by the S&G report, which is whether Ron Paine participated in this race and, if so, whether he was flying a Miles Messenger and, if so, what was its identity.

Edit: I think that he was flying Miles Hawk Speed Six G-ADGP but, if so, can anyone confirm that, please?

Member for

3 years 8 months

Posts: 381

Could I ask a question while G-ABUS is under discussion?

Does anyone know where the owner and the aircraft are now located? My interest? In 1951 the R-Type engine was swapped for a Niagara III  - a very rare sub variant of the type too. I am interested in seeing the original test data from the engine logbook that was still existent when the engine was fitted to the Swift.

Member for

16 years 7 months

Posts: 5,927

The last I heard was 'somewhere in France'!

Member for

9 years

Posts: 88

"Edit: I think that he was flying Miles Hawk Speed Six G-ADGP but, if so, can anyone confirm that, please?"

Yes, according to the book I referred to in my earlier post.

 

Member for

11 years 3 months

Posts: 1,299

Just to add to Aerotony's confirmation of the Hawk Speed Six - From Aeroplane magazine of January 2019 which features an article on G-ADGP -

"16 September 1950: The inaugural Daily Express International Air Race along the South Coast from Hurn to Herne Bay. Paine finishes 15th, but averages 204.06mph and is fastest in class. He lands at Manston, out of fuel."

Member for

16 years 7 months

Posts: 5,927

Thank you, Aerotony and MM. I'm grateful for the supplementary information.

Member for

9 years

Posts: 88

Looking at my old spotting books, I see that I first saw G-ABUS at Sandown IOW on 29/5/67. I can't remember its colour scheme at the time.

The first Swift I saw was G-ABUU at Portsmouth on 3/10/65 at a fly-in. I do remember its colour scheme being red with black striping. For a while it was my favorite aircraft until I saw Cosmic Wind G-ARUL  "Ballarina" at the Kings Cup at Baginton on 13/8/66 which was love at first sight! I remember that I was quite upset when she was written off at Halfpenny Green later that month. A few years I saw her "recreation" in a hanger at Duxford I knew that she existed but it was a surprise to see her. Although wearing the same registration, I understand that little or nothing of the original Ballarina lives on in her and she has lost something it not having the ribbed control surfaces..